Carillon Beach: What is in a name?

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Have you ever thought about how places are named and how they came to be known as they are? That’s exactly what happened to me with the name of our beloved beach house community: Carillon Beach. For the longest time, I didn’t question it. As a North Carolina Tarheel, I took the name for granted—it sounded so similar to a beach I frequented in my childhood: Carolina Beach.

It’s obvious why Carolina Beach is called that, but why Carillon Beach? I had no idea that a carillon was even a thing—until I Googled it. That’s when I learned that a carillon is a set of fixed, chromatically tuned bells, played by hammers and often hung in a tower. Then it hit me: the bell tower!

Carillon Beach has a beautiful bell tower located at the heart of the community, nestled in one of its many roundabouts. This tower, or carillon, chimes softly every hour on the hour, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s a favorite feature among residents and guests alike. At night, the trees surrounding the tower are wrapped in twinkling lights, and the entire area glows as day gives way to dusk. Couples and families often gather on the nearby benches, soaking in the lights, the bells, and the simple joy of spending time together—free from the distractions of social media, the news, or life’s daily demands. Time, kept for us by the bell tower, seems to move at a slower, more peaceful pace.

Our guests frequently mention how much their children love riding around the community in our Golf Cart, especially at night, admiring the lights and listening for the bell tower to chime. We love it too, and we’re thrilled that our guests share in that experience. To us, Carillon Beach represents family. Flip Flop Holiday is where families come to rest, reconnect, and create lasting memories.

So now you know how Carillon Beach got its name. Maybe you won’t find yourself suddenly wondering, like I did, "Why is it called Carillon Beach?" Now, you can simply smile, knowing the story behind it.

~Lynn